Missouri senior forward Laurence Bowers, the team’s best returning big man, tore an ACL in a Monday pickup game and will miss the 2011-12 season.

"This is just difficult news for an outstanding young man and representative of our athletics department," Missouri coach Frank Haith said Tuesday in a statement. "I have had a chance to talk with Laurence a few times, and he is doing well. I know he is anxious to get started on his rehabilitation, and he will continue to be a big part of the 2011-12 team.

"It's obviously a tough loss for us as a basketball team. He's an All-Big 12 type player. He's one of our best defenders, and he brings a great deal of versatility, but our primary concern is to help Laurence through the recovery process."

Bowers (6-8, 210) is a product of St. George’s Independent School in Memphis. He averaged 11.6 points and led the Tigers with 6.1 rebounds per game in his junior season. He was to be one of five returning double-figure scorers for Mizzou.

Bowers entered the NBA Draft last spring but withdrew his name and return to school. Bowers, who has a redshirt season available, could choose to return to Mizzou for fifth season if he chooses and play in 2012-13.

For now, thought, his loss is a big blow to Haith's first Missouri team. The Tigers are ranked No. 22 in preseason by Sporting News and predicted to finish third in the 10-team Big 12.